THE RESEARCH BEHIND THE WORK
Dr Pip's work reflects an ongoing commitment to exploring emerging athlete pathways through an existential and humanistic lens — embedding that philosophy into practical frameworks that enhance both athletic and personal development in pathway environments. This includes the self-efficacy trifecta, the connection and relational intelligence framework, and the four pillars whole athlete development approach.
2026 Fulbright Scholar Project: An international research collaboration focused on athlete transition and pathway development in the United States; focused on the experiences of New Zealand student-athletes navigating US collegiate programmes. The transitional demands they face. The institutional responsibility to support them.
PUBLISHED RESEARCH
Thomas, P.G., Walters, S., Lucas, P. & Oldham, T. (2026). The give and take of social support in professional athlete career pathways. Journal of Sports Sciences, 44(7), 880–895. LINK
What this means: The support relationships around a young athlete can make or break their transition into professional sport — and not all support helps. This research examines what genuine, effective support actually looks like for athletes, families, and the organisations around them.
Thomas, P.G., Lucas, P., Walters, S. & Oldham, T. (2024). Emerging athletes' career transitions in professional sport: an existential multi-case perspective. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6, 1401848 LINK
What this means: Getting to professional sport is about far more than talent. This research follows young athletes across rugby league, basketball, and boxing to understand the personal, relational, and organisational factors that determine who makes it — and what it costs those who don't.
PhD thesis: Emerging Athlete's Transition in Professional Sport: An Existential Multi-Case Perspective. Auckland University of Technology, 2024. LINK
What this means: The foundation research behind everything on this site — a deep examination of what emerging athletes in New Zealand actually experience as they chase a professional sporting career, and what better support could look like.